Written Answers Nos. 237-256
237. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the remaining actions that remain to be implemented as part of the Building Momentum pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56658/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current public service agreement is ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’ which was due to expire at the end of 2022. As the Deputy will be aware, discussions on an extension to Building Momentum took place in August 2022 and the resulting proposals have now been accepted by the majority of the members of the relevant unions and representative associations. This extension makes Building Momentum a three year pay deal, which will run until the end of 2023.
In total, including both the original Agreement and the extension, headline benefits over the lifetime of Building Momentum now amount to 9.5%, or just over 3% per year. In respect of public servants at lower pay levels, the extended Building Momentum provides for increases of 12.5% over its lifetime, which is an average of just over 4% per annum.
The pay measures that have been implemented to date under the agreement are as follows:
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2021.
- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1 February 2022.
- An increase in annualised basic salaries for public servants of 3% backdated to 2 February 2022.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on, 1 October 2022.
In addition to the above the following measures are to be implemented in 2023:
- An increase in annualised basic salaries for public servants of 2% on 1 March 2023.
- An increase in annualised basic salaries for public servants of 1.5% or €750, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2023.
238. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total projected expenditure in 2022 in relation to assisting households and persons with the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56659/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment has provided significant resources in 2022 to assist households and persons with rising costs of living.
To go towards alleviating the difficulties posed to many by increased prices, Budget 2023 contains a significant response to support households. The €2.2 billion Winter Household Cost of Living package announced as part of Budget 2023 will be delivered in a timely manner, will benefit every household in the State to some degree and will be progressive in nature by supporting those on lower incomes to a larger degree. This package comprises:
- a double week of weekly social welfare schemes in October,
- a fuel allowance lump sum of €400,
- a once-off payment of €500 to those in receipt of Carer's Support Grant and to people on Disability Allowance, Blind Pension & Invalidity Pension,
- a €200 living alone allowance lump sum,
- a €500 working family payment lump sum,
- a double child benefit payment,
- a once off reduction in the student contribution fee by €1,000 for undergrads and 1/3 for Apprentices; €1,000 increase to post-graduates tuition fee contribution grant.
- a double payments to those eligible for SUSI maintenance grants and once off payment of €500 for SFI and IRC PhD researchers,
- €8 million for the Student Assistance fund, and
- three €200 electricity credits with the two instalments in the New Year.
In addition, a Christmas Bonus will also be paid to eligible social protection recipients in in 2022, at an estimated cost of €0.3 billion.
This package builds on the earlier supports introduced.
In Budget 2022, a range of measures were introduced with a value of almost €1.2 billion. This included a Social Protection package of an additional €558 million which, among other measures, provided for increases of €5 per week in weekly Social Welfare payments and in the weekly rate of fuel allowance.
In February, Government announced a package of support measures to mitigate the impact of cost of living pressures. Building on the earlier Electricity Credit announcement made, this package increased the Electricity Credit to €200 including VAT, provided for a fuel allowance lump sum payment of €125 and introduced a temporary reduction in fares of 20% on PSO public transport services among other measures. Subsequent measures introduced included a further fuel allowance payment and a back to school package.
Together, these 2022 expenditure measures have a value of almost €4.3 billion. Additional support has been provided through the taxation system, with a Budget 2022 income tax package and excise duty reductions among the measures introduced.
239. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the agreement to reopen the swimming pool in the Garda College in Templemore to the public will include public classes, as well as access for local schools. [56670/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to recent responses to questions 54435/22, 54401/22, 54398/22, 54397/22 in relation to the swimming pool in the Garda College, Templemore.
As the Garda College, Templemore is under the full control of An Garda Síochana, it is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the College authorities to determine the access and type of services that may be permitted at the Garda College.
240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the benefit accruing to the Exchequer arising from the implementation of reform proposals across all Departments and subsidiaries thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56672/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which reform has featured throughout all Departments in a way to ensure the benefits are experienced throughout the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56673/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value and benefit of reform measures throughout all Departments and subsidiaries thereof in such a way as to illustrate the benefits of reform in general, economically and socially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56674/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which reforms throughout the public sector remain in place to ensure accountability, collective responsibility and good value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56678/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 240 to 242, inclusive, and 246 together.
My Department works to serve the country, its people and the Government by delivering well managed and well-targeted public spending, delivered through modernised, effective and accountable public services. This has been demonstrated by significant reforms that have been developed and implemented since the Department was established in 2011. In regard to reform, the Department develops major initiatives in collaboration with Government Departments and public service sectors and works to enable the delivery of sectoral reform priorities.
Examples of reforms developed by my Department include those in relation to:
- Expenditure reforms and innovations in policy-making e.g. the establishment of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES)
- Digital Government and Data e.g. the infrastructure to provide online public services and the Open Data Strategy
- Shared services arrangements and procurement reform e.g. the establishment of the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) for shared HR, pensions and payroll services and the establishment of the Office for Government Procurement to lead procurement reform
- HR professionalisation and rules governing staff e.g. the Civil Service People Strategy and revised Disciplinary Code
- Successive Civil and Public Service Reform Plans e.g. Our Public Service and the Civil Service Renewal Plan
- Legislative reform to enhance trust and transparency across government e.g. Regulation of Lobbying, Protective Disclosures and Freedom of Information legislation
Our current plans are ambitious and will position the civil and wider public service to better respond to to current and future challenges faced by the country and society. In that context, I launched Civil Service Renewal 2030 in May 2021. This ten-year strategy for the Civil Service is built on three core themes – Digital First and Embedding Innovation; Workforce, Workplace and Organisation of the Future, and Evidence-Informed Policy and Services. The strategic priorities will be achieved through a series of three-year Action Plans, the first of which is Civil Service Renewal 2024. Work on the next phase of public service reform is underway and this provides the opportunity to focus on the needs of the people we serve and service delivery. The next phase of reform will also build on the lessons learned from the successful innovations implemented during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public Service Leadership Board (PSLB). comprised of senior leaders from across the civil and public service, will play a key role in leading the next phase of reform.
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which reform has been become a feature of public procurement with a view to ensuring prompt delivery of projects and contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56675/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU public procurement rules apply to all Member States within the European Union. Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement (goods, services and works) has been transposed into Irish Law in the form of corresponding Regulations under SI No. 284 of 2016 which forms the legal basis for the national rules governing public procurement. The aim of these regulations is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime that delivers best value for money. The legislative basis for public procurement in Ireland is fully aligned with regulatory norms throughout the EU.
Public procurement reform was a key aspect of the overall public service reform programme launched in 2011. As a result, the Office of Government Procurement was established in 2013 to deliver:
- Much greater aggregation of purchasing across public bodies to achieve better value for money;
- Integration of procurement policy, strategy and operations in one office;
- Strengthening of spend analytics and data management; and
- Strengthening of vendor and category management.
The Procurement Reform Programme has had considerable success to date. Governance arrangements have been established to foster collaboration and cooperation across the main sectors of Central Government, Health, Local Government, Education and Defence. Through the development of a suite of centralised arrangements, the Government’s purchasing power has been leveraged by speaking to the market with ‘one voice’. Procurement Reform has delivered a programme of policy supports for SMEs, and has built an awareness in industry regarding the opportunities arising from public procurement. Data has been gathered from across multiple bodies to bring insight to procurement spending.
However, the focus now, in line with the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future, is to further develop the potential of strategic procurement, with an emphasis on sustainability and social considerations, public works reform and innovation. While value for money remains a key consideration, the strategic use of public procurement will support green, social and innovation policies in line with the Programme for Government, international developments and EU priorities such as the Green Deal and digitalisation.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has responsibility for the National Public Procurement Policy Framework which sets the overarching policy framework for public procurement in Ireland. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) facilitates a cohesive flow of procurement activity by providing procurement solutions, advice, guidance and systems for public bodies, promoting good practice (via Information Notes, Circulars, Guidelines and dealing with ad hoc queries) and proactive engagement with our sourcing partners in the Health, Education, Defence and Local Government Sectors through the Procurement Executive. This enables a consistent approach to public procurement across the public sector.
The OGP has also been proactive in the area of Strategic Procurement with the publication of Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement and the Information Note on Incorporating Social Considerations into Public Procurement. Subsequently, the Strategic Procurement Advisory Group was established in March 2019 to promote and facilitate the incorporation of sustainable procurement considerations, including environmental considerations, into public procurement projects. The OGP recently launched a new GPP Criteria Search tool which will assist all public bodies in meeting their green procurement objectives. My colleague, Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, chairs the SME Advisory Group which provides a forum for Small Medium Enterprises to discuss procurement issues for the SME sector. In addition, the Tender Advisory Service (TAS) is a free of charge service for suppliers to raise concerns in relation to perceived barriers for suppliers in competing for live tender opportunities.
With respect to public works the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) is a structure that has been developed to deliver the Government’s objectives in relation to public sector construction procurement reform. It has been operational since 2007 and consists of a suite of best practice guidance, standard contracts and generic template documents. All the documents that make up the framework are available online.
The CWMF contributes to efficiencies through standardising the documentation and processes associated with public works procurement to the greatest extent possible. The suite of contracts contain clear requirements with respect to performance and delivery whereas the project-specific aspects such as scope, design and technical specifications are matters for the contracting authority to determine. There is also a suite of guidance material covering all aspects of project delivery, including project-specific information, available under the CWMF.
My Department will continue the enhancement and refinement of guidance, systems, reporting, and engagement to assist public procurement practitioners to procure on behalf of the State effectively and efficiently to achieve value for money for the Exchequer.
244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he expects all Government projects to continue to be completed on time and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56676/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update in regard to the extent to which he expects the various targets in Project Ireland 2040 to be achieved on time and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56679/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 247 together.
The NDP published in October 2021 provides a detailed and positive vision for Ireland over the next 10 years, and sees total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030.
As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at a Departmental level. My Department is also responsible for maintaining the national frameworks within which Departments operate to ensure appropriate accounting for and value for money in public expenditure such as the Public Spending Code (PSC).
The PSC sets the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing capital projects. Management and delivery of individual investment projects within the allocations agreed under the NDP and within the national frameworks is a key responsibility of every Accounting Officer and Minister.
It is important to acknowledge that the majority of public investment projects are delivered on budget and on time and there is a high level of professionalism across the sectors. However, noting the higher risk profile of larger projects, it was recognised that new procedures were required in order to improve project out-turns, avoid cost overruns and avoid delays to project delivery.
Responding to this need, my Department put in place an External Assurance Process to provide independent scrutiny for major public capital projects costing in excess of €100 million. This involves independent expert reviews at two key stages in the project lifecycle under the PSC (approval in principle and prior to tendering).
The Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) has also been established by my Department. MPAG scrutinise project proposals and external reviews as a prerequisite to seeking Government approval for major projects at the relevant decision gates.
These reforms, alongside ongoing engagement with the construction sector regarding capacity and innovation, will help ensure the effective delivery of capital investment projects and programmes under Project Ireland 2040 on time and on budget.
248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which any outstanding matters arising from FEMPI have been concluded or are in course thereof; if groups throughout society with increasing dependence on the satisfactory outcome of FEMPI restoration are satisfied with progress on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56680/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process of unwinding the Financial Emergency (FEMPI) legislation commenced under the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016-2018, with the remainder of the process continuing under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (PSSA) and ‘Building Momentum: A New Public Service Agreement, 2021-2022’.
Each year, under the terms of the FEMPI Act 2013, I am obliged to carry out an annual review of the operation, effectiveness and impact of the FEMPI Acts, having regard to the overall economic conditions in the State and national competitiveness. In this annual review, I am also to consider whether or not any of the provision of the relevant Acts continue to be necessary having regard to the purposes of those Acts, the revenues of the State and State commitments in respect of public service pay and pensions. The 2022 annual review, a written report of which was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 28 June 2022, recommended the continuation of the unwinding of the FEMPI measures in line with the provisions enacted in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act, 2017. Since publication of the annual FEMPI report, in line with section 20 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, public servants with annualised basic salaries above €150,000 were restored with effect from 1 July 2022, with the result that all public servants have had their salaries restored.
249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he remains satisfied that public expenditure and reform proposals are sufficiently embedded in the system in order to maximise opportunities that might emerge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56681/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudgetary and expenditure reforms remain a key feature of public expenditure management throughout all Departments. This important goal has been fully embedded across the system of Government and is progressed in a number of ways including the day-to-day management of resources, regular engagement across Departments on cross cutting issues and through the public service reform programme. It is also progressed through a range of core budgetary reform initiatives including, but not limited to:
- The Public Spending Code;
- National Development Plan;
- Performance Budgeting;
- Equality Budgeting;
- Green Budgeting
- Well-being budgeting; and
- The Spending Review Process.
These reforms and processes broaden the approach to how public expenditure is appraised, implemented and reviewed. They govern not only how and where the money is spent but also the impact of public expenditure across different cohorts of society and the different categories of expenditure. They work in tandem with broader initiatives, such as the establishment of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), to develop capacity and enhance the role of economics and value for money analysis in public policy making.
While each reform may be considered in isolation, it is important to recognise that each represents one part of the overall reform process. Together, these expenditure reforms aim to provide a more comprehensive and thorough insight into how public services are supporting the Irish population.
It is with this more complete understanding that policymakers can work towards the achievement of value for money objectives in the context of the entire budgetary process, ensure responsiveness to emerging opportunities and trends where appropriate, and enhance the impact of policies and programmes on the lives of people in Ireland.
Looking to the future, and in accordance with the Department's Statement of Strategy, officials are currently preparing the next phase of public service reform (to succeed Our Public Service 2020) which will incorporate priorities that were articulated in the recently published Public Service Innovation Strategy, Making Innovation Real, and set its focus on the wider Public Service. My Department has also published an ambitious programme of renewal for the Civil Service (CSR 2030). Additionally, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer in my Department finalised and published a new Public Service Digital Strategy in 2022.
These new plans and strategies will strengthen the reform agenda further and ensure that we capitalise on the positive changes and learnings that we have witnessed since the onset of the pandemic, more than two years ago. They will also incorporate a number of Programme for Government commitments that will further enable the Public Service to be more responsive to the future needs of our citizens.
250. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason Waterford as the fifth largest city in the State was not awarded a night-time economy advisor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56240/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application process for the pilot Night Time Advisor initiative was led by the County and City Managers Association (CCMA) with support from my Department and is in direct response to Action 19 in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce. There were two categories - one category to include towns between 5,000 to 10,000 and another category for towns and cities of 10,000 + to ensure a spread across the country and to show different experiences and approaches in different communities. It was an open call process with applicants providing detailed information across a range of criteria. The evaluation panel was made up of independent members nominated by the CCMA and the Department. The independent evaluation panel reviewed and marked the applications and selected the 9 highest scoring applicants across the two categories were put forward for the pilot.
I recognise that there are disappointed applicants including Waterford. However, it is important to note that this is a pilot initiative. If the pilot proves successful, it is hoped to roll out the learnings to all the other local authorities.
The Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce which I launched in September 2021 recommended 36 actions to help stimulate and build a vibrant creative and inclusive Night-Time Economy right across the Country. These actions are well underway.
This year I allocated €4 million to the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme which supported off-peak entertainment in our towns and cities. Over 470 creative and innovative applications were received by my Department. I allocated funding to over 220 events in Waterford City which ran from July until October this year. I also funded a series of events on Culture Night this year which ran later into the night than in previous years and provided funding of €150,000 to these events across the country, including events in Waterford City.
A total of €6 million has been provided for the Night-Time Economy in 2023, to build on some of the foundational work started this year and also to help stimulate new ideas and new thinking in the Night-Time Economy.
My Department will continue to work with all the relevant Departments, Agencies and Stakeholders to improve and diversify our evening and night-time activities, not just in the NTE pilot towns and cities but right across the country.
251. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she last spoke with the chief executive officer of Fáilte Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56559/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI regularly meet and speak with the CEO of Fáilte Ireland both at industry events and at specific tourism policy meetings. Most recently, I spoke with the CEO at Fáilte Ireland's first national conference on driving climate action in tourism businesses on Monday 14 November.
When we look at the wider economy and the particular set of challenges facing the tourism industry it is clear that a collective and concerted multi-stakeholder approach to tackling these challenges is required and that is the approach that this Department will continue to pursue. My officials and I, and the team in Fáilte Ireland, continue to collaborate with industry and other Government colleagues and Departments on a regular basis to this end.
252. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way in which a club (details supplied) can apply for assistance with its excessive energy bills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56571/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023, €35 million is being made available to help alleviate the impact of increased energy costs for sports clubs and organisations with a view to ensuring that everyone can continue to enjoy the benefits of sport and physical activity over the winter months.
The Sports Energy Support Scheme (SESS) is being run by Sport Ireland and the funding will be distributed through the National Governing Bodies of Sport in like manner to the suite of Covid supports provided to the sports sector throughout the past 2 years.
The Scheme will support sporting organisations with the rising energy costs associated with the provision of sport, for example, around increased indoor activity and the provision of outdoor floodlighting, with a particular emphasis on sports clubs with dedicated facilities.
Details in relation to the operation of the Scheme are available on the Sport Ireland website.
253. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of vacancies at Tourism Ireland; when the competition for each of these vacancies will end; the anticipated timeframe of filling these vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56731/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply.
Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
254. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position with regard to the European Commission's nature restoration law, which would see at least 35% of peatlands re-wetted by 2050 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56399/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed Nature Restoration Regulation provides an opportunity for transformative change in relation to achieving nature restoration in Ireland and the EU as a whole, which is welcomed. Healthy ecosystems provide food and food security, clean water, carbon sinks and protection against natural disasters caused by climate change. Functioning peatlands, wetlands and flood plains, in addition to coastal systems like salt marshes, lagoons and sand dunes are natural buffers against the impacts of climate change and will help in building our resilience to the flooding and coastal inundation that we will be increasingly subjected to.
My Department is working across Government and in consultation with other Departments, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to refine the national position in relation to the proposed Regulation. At a European level, we are engaging with our partners in other member states and the Commission in seeking to ensure that Ireland’s particular land use context is recognised and accommodated in the text of the Regulation, as it evolves.
255. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the revised wind energy development guidelines will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56483/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
Guidance on the noise aspect is currently being finalised by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters. Officials from the two Departments are engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
Further to a meeting between officials of both Departments on 14 October 2022, this matter is currently being considered by DECC and further inputs are expected shortly. Following this, my Department will be in a better position to provide an update on the expected publication date of the revised Guidelines, the finalisation of which remains a priority.
It should also be noted that the review and finalisation of the Guidelines has been included as an action in the recently published Climate Action Plan, with a Q2 2023 delivery date target.
256. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56594/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 19 January 2022, the Government announced a Covid-19 recognition payment for frontline healthcare workers to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. This once-off payment is ring fenced to staff who were ordinarily onsite in Covid-19-exposed healthcare environments within the period from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2021. It applies to eligible staff in the public health service and six other specific cohorts, one of which is staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver paramedic services on behalf of the Health Service Executive.
I understand that the Department of Health has transferred funds directly to Dublin City Council for payment. The disbursement of this funding is now solely a matter for that local authority.
